WSET L4 SPARKLING WINES ACTUAL
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Why are medium sized glasses used to serve white and rose?.
Answer: So the fresh, fruit characteristics are gathers and directed towards
the top of the glass.
◍ What is yeast autolysis?.
Answer: After second alcoholic fermentation of a sparkling wine, the yeast
die and form a sediment of lees in the bottle. As the lees break down, it
releases chemical compounds into the wine that contribute flavors of bread,
biscuit and toasty notes. Autolysis can continue for 4-5, up to 10 yrs.
◍ After Champagne, what are is the next largest producer of sparkling wine in
France?.
Answer: Loire Valley
◍ Second fermentation used in many methods of making sparkling wines
produces an additional ABV of.
Answer: 1-2%
◍ Carbonation.
Answer: Injection of CO2 gas then bottled under pressure Wine must be
clear and stable Cheapest methhod
◍ Champagne Vineyard regions.
Answer: 5 Sub Regions: - Montaigne de Reims - Côte des Blancs- Vallée de
la Marne - Côte de Sezanne- Côte des Bars (Aube)
◍ What is the minimum aging period for non vintage champagne?.
Answer: 12 mths
,◍ Union des Maisons de Champagne.
Answer: Established in 1882 as "Syndicat du Commerce des Vins de
Champagne" Promote exclusiveness of champagne winesEstablish
worldwide reputation Represent over 2/3rds of all champagne volume Under
CIVC
◍ Cava Improvement Focus.
Answer: Clone and Rootstock selectionCanopy managementYeast strain
developmentIntegrated Pest Management
◍ What is the name of the process when you manipulate and encourage dead
yeast cells into the neck of the bottle by gradually turning bottles from their
sides until they are fully upside down on their crown cap?.
Answer: riddling
◍ What is a gyropalette.
Answer: A cage holding 500 bottles on a hydraulic arm, which is regularly
rotates and inclined, simulating hand riddling in a much shorter period of
time (commonly used modern method)
◍ How are Traditional Method and Tank Method bottles usually enclosed?.
Answer: crown cap
◍ How to taste tannin...
Answer: Felt on the teeth, gums, and tongue and makes the mouth feel
dry.The same substance that makes cold black tea feel dry.
◍ White Sparkling Saumur Grapes.
Answer: Minimum 60% Chenin Blanc
◍ What are non-vintage sparkling wines?
A. a base wine that is not of sufficient quality to be labelled 'vintage'
B. a blend of base wine from no more than two vintages
C. a blend of base wines from several vintages
D. any sparkling wine that is not produced in Champagne.
Answer: C. a blend of base wines from several vintages
, ◍ Taille of press wine.
Answer: Remaining 5 hl after cuvée
◍ Legal drinking age.
Answer: The minimum drinking age may be different from the minimum
legal age at which a person may purchase alcohol.
◍ What is the aging requirement for Ast?.
Answer: Unaged
◍ Pressing.
Answer: Extraction of the remaining juice from the grape solids after
fermentation.
◍ Chilean Sparkling Wine.
Answer: From: Limari, Casablanca, Leyda, Bio bio Warm Mediterranean
with cooling sea breezesChardonnay and Pinot Noir most popular but no
restrictionsMostly tank method but traditional growing Brut Nature to Dulce
Min 85% for vintage, varietal and geographical origin
◍ What is another term used for “bottle fermentation”?.
Answer: Traditional Method (or Méthode traditionnelle)
◍ Assessment Criteria.
Answer: Specific points that candidates must understand or be able to
explain in order to meet the learning outcomes of the WSET Level 2 Award
in Wines.
◍ Sweetness: Sweet.
Answer: Process: Can be made from grapes so rich in sugar that the yeast
dies before all the sugar is consumed. Alternatively the yeast can die
through the addition of extra alcohol.Taste: Should be balanced with a
refreshing acidity to prevent these wines from being cloying. Amount of
sugar can make them feel thicker and richer.
◍ How long does secondary fermentation usually last?.
Answer: 4-6 weeks
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Why are medium sized glasses used to serve white and rose?.
Answer: So the fresh, fruit characteristics are gathers and directed towards
the top of the glass.
◍ What is yeast autolysis?.
Answer: After second alcoholic fermentation of a sparkling wine, the yeast
die and form a sediment of lees in the bottle. As the lees break down, it
releases chemical compounds into the wine that contribute flavors of bread,
biscuit and toasty notes. Autolysis can continue for 4-5, up to 10 yrs.
◍ After Champagne, what are is the next largest producer of sparkling wine in
France?.
Answer: Loire Valley
◍ Second fermentation used in many methods of making sparkling wines
produces an additional ABV of.
Answer: 1-2%
◍ Carbonation.
Answer: Injection of CO2 gas then bottled under pressure Wine must be
clear and stable Cheapest methhod
◍ Champagne Vineyard regions.
Answer: 5 Sub Regions: - Montaigne de Reims - Côte des Blancs- Vallée de
la Marne - Côte de Sezanne- Côte des Bars (Aube)
◍ What is the minimum aging period for non vintage champagne?.
Answer: 12 mths
,◍ Union des Maisons de Champagne.
Answer: Established in 1882 as "Syndicat du Commerce des Vins de
Champagne" Promote exclusiveness of champagne winesEstablish
worldwide reputation Represent over 2/3rds of all champagne volume Under
CIVC
◍ Cava Improvement Focus.
Answer: Clone and Rootstock selectionCanopy managementYeast strain
developmentIntegrated Pest Management
◍ What is the name of the process when you manipulate and encourage dead
yeast cells into the neck of the bottle by gradually turning bottles from their
sides until they are fully upside down on their crown cap?.
Answer: riddling
◍ What is a gyropalette.
Answer: A cage holding 500 bottles on a hydraulic arm, which is regularly
rotates and inclined, simulating hand riddling in a much shorter period of
time (commonly used modern method)
◍ How are Traditional Method and Tank Method bottles usually enclosed?.
Answer: crown cap
◍ How to taste tannin...
Answer: Felt on the teeth, gums, and tongue and makes the mouth feel
dry.The same substance that makes cold black tea feel dry.
◍ White Sparkling Saumur Grapes.
Answer: Minimum 60% Chenin Blanc
◍ What are non-vintage sparkling wines?
A. a base wine that is not of sufficient quality to be labelled 'vintage'
B. a blend of base wine from no more than two vintages
C. a blend of base wines from several vintages
D. any sparkling wine that is not produced in Champagne.
Answer: C. a blend of base wines from several vintages
, ◍ Taille of press wine.
Answer: Remaining 5 hl after cuvée
◍ Legal drinking age.
Answer: The minimum drinking age may be different from the minimum
legal age at which a person may purchase alcohol.
◍ What is the aging requirement for Ast?.
Answer: Unaged
◍ Pressing.
Answer: Extraction of the remaining juice from the grape solids after
fermentation.
◍ Chilean Sparkling Wine.
Answer: From: Limari, Casablanca, Leyda, Bio bio Warm Mediterranean
with cooling sea breezesChardonnay and Pinot Noir most popular but no
restrictionsMostly tank method but traditional growing Brut Nature to Dulce
Min 85% for vintage, varietal and geographical origin
◍ What is another term used for “bottle fermentation”?.
Answer: Traditional Method (or Méthode traditionnelle)
◍ Assessment Criteria.
Answer: Specific points that candidates must understand or be able to
explain in order to meet the learning outcomes of the WSET Level 2 Award
in Wines.
◍ Sweetness: Sweet.
Answer: Process: Can be made from grapes so rich in sugar that the yeast
dies before all the sugar is consumed. Alternatively the yeast can die
through the addition of extra alcohol.Taste: Should be balanced with a
refreshing acidity to prevent these wines from being cloying. Amount of
sugar can make them feel thicker and richer.
◍ How long does secondary fermentation usually last?.
Answer: 4-6 weeks
